The seller states that the 1983 Pontiac Trans Am Daytona 500 Pace Car is a future investment-grade classic, and it seems the market backs them up. Values have climbed rapidly in the past couple of years, and now could be the time to strike. This one is a genuine survivor, and its drivetrain combination makes it worth a close look. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder numskal for spotting an affordable classic a new owner could enjoy immediately.
Pontiac’s introduced the Third Generation Firebird range for the 1982 model year, causing an immediate sensation. The company took an entirely new approach, producing a car that looked like nothing that came before. It focused on weight reduction and aerodynamic efficiency to recapture ground lost to emission regulations. The Trans Am received the call in 1983 to become the Official Pace Car for that year’s Daytona 500, an honor it earned fifteen times before the marque’s demise. Pontiac followed the traditional strategy of leveraging the exposure by producing 2,500 examples of the 25th Anniversary Daytona 500 Pace Car. All rolled off the line wearing a combination of White and Charcoal paint, with appropriate decals and badges denoting their significance. Our feature Trans Am isn’t pristine, and I think it is fair to class it as a tidy driver. Close-up shots reveal a typical selection of minor chips and imperfections, but no issues requiring immediate attention. The same applies to the glass T-top panels, and the exterior sheetmetal looks excellent. Buyers could select from two types of wheels for the Pace Car, with this one featuring the 15″ Aero wheels.
This Trans Am will score points with many because its interior is unmolested and in surprisingly good condition. The seller recently treated the beautiful Recaro seats to a professional retrim, and they are in as-new condition. The remaining upholstered surfaces are excellent, and while some plastic has discolored with age, there is no sign that it will crack or crumble to dust. The only item with a question mark hanging over it is the dashpad, which is concealed under a cover. The new owner receives a few desirable factory options, including ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
Pontiac produced 2,500 examples of the 25th Anniversary Daytona 500 Pace Car, but only 520 buyers teamed the 305ci V8 engine with a five-speed manual transmission. This is one of those cars, making it a relatively rare beast in a “big picture” sense. The V8 produces a modest 150hp and 240 ft/lbs of torque, allowing the Trans Am to cover the ¼-mile in 16.3 seconds. None of the quoted figures sound impressive, but this Pontiac’s ability to top 125mph demonstrates the benefit of that wonderfully aerodynamic body. Potential buyers contemplating a Californian vacation might find this classic irresistible. The seller indicates that it runs and drives well, making flying in and driving home a viable option.
The seller listed this 1983 Pontiac Trans Am Daytona 500 Pace Car here on Craigslist in Kelseyville, California. Their price of $9,900 sits between what Hagerty quotes for a #4 and a #3 example. It aligns with recent sales results for a car featuring a manual transmission. It is a turnkey classic leaving scope for the new owner to perform a straightforward cosmetic refresh if they wish to lift it to a higher level. The seller hasn’t tasted success after ten days on the market, but you could change that. Are you tempted?
Well priced, should sell quickly. I remember seeing one on the local dealership lot and thinking it was so modern looking and sporty. And one of the car magazines had an article mentioning how aerodynamic they were.
125mph would be a wild ride in this 80s TA 🏁 wow 😲
Not a bad car, too bad the original air cleaner isn’t there. It had a hole in the top with a rubber seal that picked up cold air from the offset bulge on the hood.
These early-80’s F-body’s never developed much of a following in California and are rarely seen today, when these were new, 60’s and early-70’s muscle cars were readily available and inexpensive. It wasn’t hard to find original paint 4spd muscle car that was a little rough around the edges, (something that would draw a lot of positive attention today) for $1,000 to $1,500. Most “gear heads” choose that route. It made little sense to drop close to $10,000 and committing to years of car payment at what would have been high interest rates.
This Trans Am could be a great find, there are also a lot of interesting cars and trucks in that area. A friend has a house in the area and sent me pictures last week of several late-60’s and 1970’s 4×4 pickups and Blazers parked on the streets or in driveways. He’s bought several cars, mainly restored model A’s over the last couple of years.
Steve R
I bet those center caps cost a fortune
Very kool special interest car in my opinion. Really good deal here! And not ridiculously displayed on a trailer!
Looks good and complete save for the air cleaner. What is the word on the valve cover? I don’t recall those trim rings with the Pontiac name. Buy, drive and enjoy.
looks like they upgraded the carb manifold and the valve covers hence the different air cleaner
It is Holley looks like Holley carb and valve covers probably manifold too. I would be interested to see if the original equipment is still around in the basement.
Good catch on the carb swap. More likely an Edelbrock carb, single feed Holley’s would have the fuel line enter at the front on the drivers side, an Edelbrock has the fuel line enter the passenger side rear of the carb, in the picture you can see the fuel line going in that direction.
Steve R
I am second owner of my 1983 TA with the $6500 Auto Form option. It was delivered to Phillips in Leesburg Fl. Has 50,000 original miles on it, all original except carpet, seats reupholstered and top done with NOS parts. One of 125 done with this option in 1983. It has crossfire 305 .Was considered poor mans vette by many. Enjoy driving it often here in Fl.
Nice looking car. It’s too bad those engines were so underpowered. My 4 cylinder car that I drive daily now has more horsepower than this 1983 Trans Am.
But it don’t get you noticed.